Jets offense made 10/18 3rd downs at a rate of 55% efficiency. 2/2 on 4th down-100% of course. To illustrate how rancid that is, the worst 3rd down defense in the league on average allowed 47% conversions on 3rd down in 2008.

I’m in a foul mood, so I don’t really feel like writing. However I leave you with this which is certainly more pleasant:

Gary Kubiak in the post game presser says it’s on him. Not getting the team prepared to play. In some ways it is by design. The Texans are not built as a physical team. It’s hard to prepare for physical teams if you aren’t one.

Who knew my Stay Puft Marshmallow man video from my last post would be so appropriate?

Updated 9:00 pm: Here’s the video via Sports Radio 610 of Dunta Robinson discussing his shoes that say “Pay me Rick.” (it’s near the end and it is worth watching to see how he talks about it).

See, the NFL is all about getting paid, not so much that winning thing I guess. Truly, that is embarrassing crybaby behavior by a player who is supposed to be a leader on this team. Perhaps my boots a couple weeks from now should read “Shut up and tackle.”

It IS all on Kubiak. Can you imagine what a good coach would do if one of his players came out on the field with “Pay me, Rick” on his shoes? He’d send him back to the dressing room to change, and tell him to stay there until he did.

It’s not that Dunta cost them the game – it’s that Kubiak has not instilled discipline on this team yet, and seems both unwilling and unable to do so. They’re simply not good enough to win without it. Few teams ever have been.

Richard Justice irritates the bejesus out of me, but when making observations about the Astros this year, he said something that 100% correct about the Astros. He said that they need to spend money on a first rate manager. Thats what the Texans need to do. If this season ends up being another 8-8 or less, then we need to go after Bill Cowher. Offer him more money than any other team. If he still declines, then at least we tried. But I am sick and tired of this team either not being prepared or being outcoached and both start with Gary Kubiak. I dont look for us to win next week at Tennessee, so thats looking at another 0-2 start. How many times do we have to see a team with a losing record, fire their coach, hire a new coach and make the playoffs the next year, before our owner takes notice. Gary Kubiak has been a GREAT judge of talent. Mario, DeMeco, Winston, Daniels etc.. have been great additions to this team, but we need someone to light a fire in our team. I havent seen the Texans play with any intensity that I see other teams play with. The Tennessee/Pittsburgh game on Thursday night was a battle the whole way through. Neither team ever took plays off like we do upteen times per game. We have pieces that can win. I think all that is missing is a top notch coaching staff to help bring the best out of them.

[Bill Cowher will have no interest in the Texans other than having them bid up his services. -S]

I must admit I’m fed up with Kubiak saying he didn’t get the team ready to play. Isn’t that his job?

What else did he have to do last week, cure cancer? Was he too busy trying to get the Israelis and Palestinians back at the table to game plan? If he wasn’t doing things of that nature, and if he is being paid a lot of money to get his team ready to play a game of football, I’d let for him to get his team ready to play football. He sure did not get his team ready to play football.

I’m ready to conclude that after four years of him saying that, maybe we should believe him and just get down to it: he can’t do his job, he’s not head coach material, and he’s not taking this team to the playoffs. 7-9 this year, is what I see. If they can find some teams to beat.

He has all the coaches he wants, he’s got his quarterback, he’s got Alex Gibbs and the ZBS, he’s got his own GM, and none of them can get it down. So, who’s to blame? Gary Kubiak. What does McNair do about it, that’s the problem. I guess Mike Shanahan is available, and he’ll probably come to work because his son is here. So maybe we get to the playoffs anyway, but not with GK as head coach.

What an awful scandalous piece of crap game on all three sides of the ball.

[Shanahan is not coming to Houston if the Texans show Kubiak the door. The defense is trying to figure themselves out, and the offense came into this game injured and coming off injury and always challenged by physical 3-4s. A perfect storm of suckage. -S]

I remember back in the summer you gave the fans a chance to ask Eric Winston a question. I made an attempt to be funny and made some comment about Ray Charles seeing that the interior line (GCG) was weak and getting manhandled on a weekly basis. I remember you got pissy and dressed me down for the tone of the question, even questioned my courage.

After watching Kris Jenkins use Chris Meyers and Mike Briesel as a weapon, against our own players, in our own backfield; Maybe someone with a little more tact or sack may want to repeat the question to whomever associated with the O-line will listen.

[I'll try, and I'll phrase the question a bit more mannered than you did. -S]

We looked like the stay puff man running from a campfire today . The Jets defense was the graham cracker , the offense was the Hershey bar and we were the soft stay puff guy in the middle . When you say a football team is soft … that’s bad .

Finess teams only play well against mediocre teams. Against tough minded teams with a stout defense, they get punched in the mouth.

In the three years (plus the beginning of this one) that Kubiak has been coach, I can’t think of one time this team has punched an opposing team in the mouth.

Capers’ defenses were fairly tough the first couple of years. They didn’t have a great deal of talent across the board, but they did have a few decent players and those guys pretty much gave a stout effort as often as they could. I don’t know that I’d say they collectively punched their opponents in mouth on a given occasion, but they didn’t let themselves get pushed around in the trenches like a bunch of ragdolls either.

That is one thing this team has really missed during the Kubiak era. Attitude and intensity. And possibly pride (I don’t know how those guys can look themselves in the mirror after such an awful all-around ‘performance’ like that).

The box doesn’t agree w/what I am about to say, but the defense look tons better than last year. You can’t leave any defense on the field all day and expect them to be successful. We kept trying to run on first down early in the game and put ourselves in 2nd/3rd and long. Brown was successful in his few runs, but god forbid we make the adjustment and let the hot hand go. Brown is better suited to run against a 3-4 that Slaton is. I was really impressed w/the defense early other than on 3rd down. We had many chances to get off the field and couldn’t. We blew a turnover in the Jets first scoring drive. I think it could have been a lot different if that would have gone the other way. The other big play before the half was Slaton’s fumble deep in Jets territory when the game was still in reach. The Jets then take it down the field and score…the air was then out of the balloon.

This is so old. We knew last year after the first game that the Pitts-Meyers-Briesel combo was butter for 3-4 D’s, or really any big, physical front. So many times today the Texans tried to run with 8 guys in the box, mostly crowding the line of scrimmage. I’m not sure if Kubiak is aware of this, but Andre Johnson, #80, he’s like the best receiver in the freaking league. For anybody that sticks with the company line of hey, it’s only one game, that would be fine if we lost a close game, but the Texans were abused, humiliated, and embarrassed at home. And did Dunta really have Pay me Rick on his shoes? Because if this is true, he should be suspended. I wish I had a towel to throw in.

[Yup, more of the same. And, I didn't see the shoes but I guess that's what they said. Gee, I guess in Mr. Robinson's neighborhood, $10 million dollars for showing up between September and January is not getting paid. Wah wah wah. It's not like Smith can negotiate a long term deal with him now anyway. It's disappointing. Just a disappointing day all around. -Steph]

I thought I saw this in training camp. Slaton says he put on weight to be more durable and a bit heavier so as to be a bit harder to bring down, maybe even be able to push the pile a little. BUT what I was seeing seemed to be a slightly slower Slaton. I’m not there with a stop watch, I’m not a football coach and my eyes are not trained to look for the subtle differences things like that can make. Apparently those subtle differences were not as subtle as one may think because as I said I could tell some kind of change. In preseason it seemed like the scat had left the back, not that Slaton was considered a “scatback”, but his quickness didn’t seem to be there like last year. Wondered all through preseason if this was a mistake on Slaton’s part, to handicap that part of him that made him special last year. Who know’s, I’m no expert.

TC, I really do like reading your blog, you’ve got some good thoughts so I kinda hate making this post because it is probably pretty close to rubbing a tabasco/lemon juice/salt poultice into a paper cut….

Has Kubiak ever, in Houston, have a hot start? This year thumped by the Jets, last year by Pitt (yes, they’re mean an scary but still), and the year before by the Bills. A Sept. record of only 2 wins I think?

It really seems that GK is part of the problem and not in any way part of the solution. Yes, between him and RS they improved the talent pool but somehow, someway that pool is under-prepared (especially in the first 1/4 of the season). That is on his shoulders alone.

A bit of solace though, IMHO, the D did have its moments but you leave the guys out there for 38+ minutes they are going to get toasted eventually.

It looks like Texan fans are going to be in for a long season.

[The Texans started 2-0 in 2007 before having a ton of starter injuries all at once. They put the rest of that season together with duct tape. Between the offense and the defense, neither did each other much favors. The offense couldn't get into any rhythm at all, the defense tried to hold it together, and then the offense couldn't get back on the field and eventually they became one dimensional and that dimension was ugly. -Steph]

Up until today I have been in Kubiak’s camp. I’ve defended him throughout his first three seasons. But this is it. No more. This loss falls squarely on his shoulders. He’s so fond of blaming himself for losses, well, I finally agree with him. Talent or injuries are no longer a viable excuse. He’s got seven or eight potential Pro-Bowl caliber players now. His team is as healthy as an NFL team is going to get. And they got manhandled today. They were totally unprepared and unfocused. Stupid penalties, botched assignments, critical turnovers, bad playcalling, poor execution, players scrambling onfield at the last second for a play. This is not bad luck, or an untalented roster, or even bad weather. This is bad coaching. I’m through with Kubiak. He’s put together a talented team. He just can’t manage it. Fire him.

Hi Steph – Well, have we got ALL our bad plays, fumbles, mis-management and general suckiness out of the way for awhile (do you think)?

Like a good prize fighter, sometimes you need to get wounded first before the fight comes out in the dawg. Let’s hope so. Let’s believe “our” team is sufficiently wounded and embaresed that they go to Tenn with a growl in their throats and a killer gleam in their eyes!

If they get trounced there, THEN I think we can all really, really start worrying….

Like my namesake “pushmback” – are you listening Texans? It’s time for redemption. It’s time to SICK-EM!

That guy in the video kinda looks like the Jets QB Sanchez. I was impressed by him but in the grand scheme of things know his performance may have been enhanced by other factors.

Anyhow. The Texans??? What can I say??? Cushing looked good… I am not completely sold on this team being this bad quite yet. I know that sounds clueless. Especially when I have been one of the main people pointing out their weakness before they came to the forefront, but they have talent. That much is apparent. How to use it is another. I dont know what kind of man Kubiak is as coach but he is facing a defining moment and his players. I know he is a good man and I think he will be rewarded for such if he sticks to his guns this season. That is they cant give in just yet. He has to get this team into a meeting or come to Jesus sort of speech and make them aware of the situation. If I know him he may have already or will. I am hoping the players respond. The only thing that could make this game loss better is a win in Tennessee. Even though that seems so far away now. I am never ready to concede a total loss. If Kubiak losses I am sure he will be in job security trouble anyways but this is that moment where he and his players decide what they really are. I hope they respond better. Even if they dont I will still be here watching their games. I would rather it be Kubiak that takes us to the place we want to go with this team but if it isnt? It isnt, for winning sake.

I think ya got that right. They just really looked outcoached. I have Pitts, Myers and Schaub at “less than 100%” perhaps a whole lot less. Schaub off – his stats mostly assembled from dink and dunk. No KW.

As a long time Houston sports fan, I’m not shocked. I feared this might happen but thought it was a slim chance. Fat chance. Though I’m not holding my breath, the team could right a whole lot of wrong against the Titans next Sunday. I’ll be in front of the tube same time next week….

Steph, I love your blog. No joke. You are easily one of the best in Houston when it comes to the Texans and objective opinions.

But I’m tired of the “Shannahan isn’t coming to Houston” and “Cowher isn’t coming to Houston” mantra.

I get it: You think we’re a small team in a small town. You think we’re Mayberry and we have tumbleweeds rolling down the streets. I disagree. I think we’re a big team in a big town.

And, we have a wealthy owner that DOES NOT METTLE, and we are in a major media market.

I know you think Kubiak is the best we can do, but, I think Houston can do better.

In the NFL, coaches would kill for an owner like Bob McNair.

[No the Texans are a high revenue team, and Bob McNair is willing to spend coin. But not too many coaches are willing to come to a franchise that has never won squat and has zero tradition. Cowher has no connections to this part of the world, and why would Shanahan want to come to a franchise if the Texans kicked his protege to the curb. There's plenty of coaches in the world, but I do not think that Cowher/Shanahan are realistic options. -Steph]

Reminds me of last year. Except it wasn’t in Pittsburgh it was in Reliant Stadium. It wasn’t the eventual Super Bowl champs it was the Jets. A new head coach, new QB, new defense, new offense and the Jets did to Houston in every phase of the game what Houston was suppose to do to New York.

I don’t know how well you could see Jenkins, the Jets NT. With one wave of his arm Myers or Pitts would go flying 5 yds and land on their keister. Jenkins was very Haynesworth today.

One stat you missed that ties in to 3rd downs is the # of Jets plays that were 20 yds or longer. I think it was 7 or 8. I’m getting an eerie feeling that the Texans are a Top 10 team….a Top 10 draft pick team that is.

I’m not sure about Demeco and the spitting part. Quite frankly, I have bigger fish to fry. My only concern now is the verbal flogging I’m going to have to endure at work from all the people I smack-talked about the Texans dominating this year. Cripes!!! I’m feeling a tad achy and feverish. Darn that kool-aid…I think it may be time to cash in one of my sick days.

It’s disturbing to me that Schaub’s mechanics broke down so early. He stopped stepping through on his throws, and all too often was throwing off his back foot (not a recipe for success in the NFL).

Not too deep into the game, he started acting as if he thought he might die if he threw a pass like a disciplined NFL QB. I can’t fault him too much for the breakdown, because we didn’t see much today to prove that notion wrong.

You’re an attractive lady with a pretty smile, but how that makes you an expert into the thought processess of former coaches looking for another NFL job escapes me. Personally, I doubt Cowher will coach again, he seems happy where he is. But, if he does, I’m sure he’d go to a team with a bunch of talent that seems to be on the cusp of rising to that elite high of NFL teams. Which sounds a lot like, well, you know. And, Mr. Shanahans son is the OC for the, well, you know.

[You think that team looks like "a team with a bunch of talent that seems to be on the cusp of rising to that elite high of NFL teams?" I'll try not to be mean about this, and just say it doesn't look like a Cowher roster at all. -S]

Steph, since you were at the game – did Dunta get booed during pre-game introductions (if the D got introduced individually, that is)?

[They even goofed up the pregame introductions. The announcer talked about the defense being introduced as a group, but then they started trickling in at different times, and some ran out as a group, and then DR was introduced near the end and given a big cheer, with me yelling too. And then it went downhill from there. -S]

The Texans were atrocious today, but let’s give the Jets some credit. Their defense is as destructive as Baltimore’s was. I tried to tell people it was the scheme as much as it was the personnel, but I was laughed at… then again, I still thought the Texans would win by a point, stupidly.

Now with the team staring 0-2 directly in the face, I’m starting to really question how in the hell after yet another offseason, we STILL haven’t managed to figure out a way to defend against aggressive, 3-4 defenses… you know, the kind that belong to many of the AFC playoff contenders?

Sigh. Was drafting A. Hill really the only thing they did to address this problem specifically? Oh, right – they had Chris “Rag Doll Eternal” Myers gain some weight. A lot of good that did when Kris Jenkins nearly beat him to death on the field with his left arm.

I’ll feel better in a couple of days, but right now I’m having a hard time having any positive thoughts.

[Thanks for coming by here and telling me the TV side of things. I have it recorded but I'm not sure what watching that on TV would tell me other than @#$%, I need to be doing something else. I worried about the Jets defense too. I think the offense bounces back though maybe not so much next week--they just need to survive next week. The Texans offense takes candy away from bad defenses and struggles against good ones. Longer term this season, I'm very worried about this defense. If they can't rattle a rookie QB on the road who picked apart their secondary, who will they be able to stop? -Steph]

this was such an embarassing game. i dont know if i can watch this team take the field any more. i was so excited for this season with yao going down and the same for the astros franchise. i thought the texans mightve been the one bright spot in houston sports. i guess this is what i get for having high hopes. just pure dissapointment. i had faith in kubiak and shaub but now i know the truth. this team will never win with such predictable playcalling(1st down-run the ball,2nd down-screen pass,3rd down-incomplete deep pass or short slant over the middle just short of first down),if a simple fan can figure that out wouldnt a defensive minded coach just eat us alive? its not all kubiak’s fault but if he wants the blame i’ll be more than willing to let him take it. 6 months to prepare, 0 offensive points. this team is in desperate need of playmakers on all sides of the ball. Antonio Smith-anthony weaver reincarnated. Amobi Okoye-not ready for the nfl. Shaun Cody-wtf? Matt Schaub-looks lost. Steve Slaton-another one and done denver running back(see mike bell and tatum bell)All cornerbacks and safeties-just start fresh, you’ll save money and it can’t get much worse. Linebackers-too scared to tackle. Great defensive teams also know how to tackle. so does my little sister. i would love to have seen the half time speech given by kubiak to his team. not a good motivator and never will be. he’s too docile. i would have ripped into every one of my players for giving a half you know what effort on opening day. some might say its just one game. what leads you to believe this team will get any better over the season? we play in a difficult division, our only players returning from injury are jaques reeves and kevin walter, we’ve never been a good team, and we have poor coaching and talent. my prediction at the beginning of the year was 9-7. i can safely lower my expectations now and change my prediction to 5-11. just another horrible season guys. sorry to say it but i think this finally broke the camels back for me. its hard to say im fair-weather when its been raining losses since 2001.

Why so tough on Robinson? He has incentive now to take one back for 6, to show off them shoes. Yeah it would be nice if he wrote “Fear me, Sanchez” on his shoes instead, to make it more about the game, and not the dough. But it’s not like other players are using blank shoe space to write team-oriented slogans or menacing messages to the opponent. It’s not like Dunta’s pulling a Crabtree. In fact, I don’t think Dunta is the problem. I think everyone else is the problem. How come the other Texans aren’t writing “Pay him, Rick” on their shoes to support a teammate? Do they like Rick better than Dunta? Or do they fear retaliation? Who’s being selfish now?

[It shows no class to write "Pay me Rick" on his shoes at the opener. It shows no class to say that you did it to remind yourself what the NFL is all about, "getting paid." It shows no class in a team game to draw attention to yourself that way, especially given that they can't negotiate a new contract right now anyway. I think this sums it up well: http://www.examiner.com/x-778-Houston-Texans-Examiner~y2009m9d14-Its-really-not-all-about-you-Dunta I understand how he wanted to be paid for a long term contract, and it wasn't like they just put the tag on him and didn't offer him a contract--multiple contracts were offered to him and he rejected them. Get over it and play ball. -Steph]

I’m with you, Steph. I’ll write “… and try to cover somebody while you’re at it!” on the back of mine. Seems like after that pass breakup to start the game, Dunta just lost it. I don’t know if dude got caught up and got winded too fast, but it became glaringly apparent that he definitely wasn’t ready for prime time. NO CLASS – can’t wait to give him his walking papers next year. $9 mil for that?! I was so ticked I found myself just sitting there with my arms folded when they acknowledged G.I. Joe in Section 135. I never want to feel that way at a game again.

I am simply tired of the product being foisted on us. The Texans are a VERY bad football team. The only redeeming feature of the Texans is now I will focus on a more entertaining team-The University of Houston Cougars. Gary needs to be fired and Cowher will never come here-its not taylor made to be a winner already. He strikes me as the kind of guy that will only go where a near winner is already in place. Texans ain’t near that point yet. Oh well another bad Texans start to a season.

Where was the game plan? Oh yeah. They don’ need no stinking game plan.

Where was the coaching? Oh yeah. There was none.

Where was that high powered offense? Oh yeah. It’s smoke and mirrors.

People say you don’t need a playmaker. Well, three years ago the Texans passed up a bunch of ‘em and took Mario. How’s that scenery workin’ out for ya, Steph? How’d that numero uno overall defensive end gawd of all defensive end gawds do yesterday? Against a rookie qb? Usually a great player on the line makes everybody a little bit better. Usually, a playmaker raises the level of everybody else’s play.

In fact, the whole team, from Kubiak to the waterboy was pathetic. No, that’s a slap in the face to pathetic teams everywhere. They were worse than pathetic.

And next week, a slobberin’ mad Titans team is going to completely dismantle the Texans. Kubes needs to go ahead and get his “It’s on me” speech ready. Next Sunday, the rapin’ and pillagin’ will have no end.

After 0-2, I can’t wait to hear how everything’s peachy keen. Just take a page from Justice and write…Don’t worry, be happy. Uncle Bob’s got it all under control.

I thought the D-Rob shoe bit was just another example of Richard Justice being too cute by half. But now you’re telling me that Robinson actually did that?And on top of it, the Texans lose as badly as they do? D-Rob with ONE TACKLE FOR THE ENTIRE ******* GAME?This thing’s out of control.

Kubiak has a very few days to stop with “It’s on me” and instill an “it’s on them” attitude. And, while he’s at it, he can take the “kids” rhetoric with him. I’m tired of watching children. Start referring to them, and treating them, like men.

I’m thinking about what the players were thinking before the game… slim playoffs chance this season, home game, rookie QB, 1st year head coach, great fans in a white out cheering as loud as they can, and a whole lot more. Just one game we have been waiting for all offseason. One game.

To suck so bad, something has got to be wrong with Kubiak and his ability to coach. Kubiak has the best team he has ever had and cannot get these players to win a game or at LEAST play with a team that comes into their home field on OPENING day. I cannot say I am surprised because Texans were heading this way after the 3rd

preseason game.

I am also ready to give up on Schaub- get hits a few times and takes his mind out of the game. Fragile Schaub- we need a new QB but Schaub is Kubiak’s guy.

The Robinson shoe is sickening because now we know his heart is not playing with the Texans- if it was he wouldn’t have ever put that on his shoes.

the texans are a talented team with no heart…. period. ive been a fan since day one and everytime they play a team thats rough around the edges they tuck n run. Dunta has become a mercenary, pitts, myers, brisiel… i dont even have the energy to talk about them jus watch the jets highlights. kyle is perfectly clueless that we have last year’s leading receiver. but we feel so much better when Kubs says “this game is on me” for havin them preppared well wtf have you been doin all this off season!!! if you know u got players that aint tough why are they still playing for your club. you got players that cant tackle or cover why are they starting!? any normal coach would not settle for what these players do out there it down right a stupid. every year u bring the same players with no fight, no pride as a player, mentally weak and physically weak and expect to make it to the playoffs!?…. bull there are a few teams we can dominate n feel good about ourselves but the rest of the league looks and plays like Rex Ryans team and they are even tougher and mean. until the texans start playing like that we aint doing nuttin special this year, they will wait until the pressure is off and be out of contention to make a final push to suck us back in with all the bullcrap upgrades on defense, position battles brings better play garbage then come out on sunday and let teams punk you with a rookie QB laughin …. and all you got to say is “ahhh just blame me for not have’m ready to go” what is that? houston fans deserve better we bought the season tickets, we tailgate early, we haven’t had a winning season in 7yrs and we still scream until we lose our voices, just to watch the give that type of effort….. priceless we are true Fanatics Go Hard or Go Home TEXANS

“[You think that team looks like "a team with a bunch of talent that seems to be on the cusp of rising to that elite high of NFL teams?" I'll try not to be mean about this, and just say it doesn't look like a Cowher roster at all. -S]”

You are correct, Cowher would have no interest in this collection of lightweight, finesse players. Pittsburgh has always been huge players, playing smash-mouth football. It is what wins Championships

Are you going to stand and say, still, that the Texans are going about things the right way and that we should continue to be patient or are you ready to admit that doing things the way they’ve been done the last 7 years has not worked, isn’t working and isn’t going to work?

This franchise has been one of the top 5 revenue teams since the first day Bob McNair sold a ticket. It has been a bottom 10 franchise in terms of football performance, that entire time. Do you really believe that’s an accident? Do you not find that there’s something to read into the owner’s priorities based on the results he achieves and demands? He clearly demands financial performance, because he has it.

You cannot make the claim that the club’s strong financial position enhances it’s chances at winning because he won’t spend the money on football- and further, because it HASN’T.

Isn’t doing the same ol’ thing over and over and expecting different results, the classic lay definition of insanity? I do not think Bob is insane, I think he’s brilliant and has achieved EXACTLY what he set out to achieve. He is not hungry as an owner. He is quite sated.

No risk of blackouts in Houston. We, again, have done our part- all we can do. So Bob has made his dough, regardless….again…..

Tell Cowher that you’ll give him 8 million a year plus a 10 million bonus for a playoff appearance and 20 million for a superbowl victory within 3 years.

Until Bob is willing to use the club’s financial position to improve the team(not on paper, results results results), he will only appear as a satisfied rich guy, who keeps getting richer. While the team is the same same same same same. boring and soft.

Think Cowher’d say no? Nope, he’d do it, he’d be a fool not to, and if he actually earned the bonuses, it would cement his legacy as one of the best ever to have coached.

[If a wheelbarrow full of money was what Cowher wanted right now, he'd already be coaching. As for making changes, there's a time for making coaching changes and it isn't right now. The Texans are pretty much committed to this season as it is--they can tweak how they do things and maybe some roster stuff and hope guys get healthier but they are what they are. The big question is whether they are fixable for this season. As for Kubiak, there will be plenty of time to visit that subject down the road. -S]

My problem is with Matt Schaub. His arm is too weak to win at this level, and he gets his receivers hurt. We have too many backup players in at least 6 or 7 positions, where we could have upgraded during the offseason. Instead the staff tries to get blood from a turnip. The center position is a representation of who the texans are, and why they will not win. The preseason showed us who they are. And when did Steve Slaton get so fat and slow??

CUSHING: he seems to be the real deal. And he plays with passion and i could tell by some of his reactions that he hates losing. Need more of him and Ryans, and less touch football.

[Schaub had top 5 numbers last year...when he played. The entire offense looked out of sync. Schaub's mechanics didn't look good, the middle of the line was caved in like it usually is against physical 3-4s, the offensive line didn't work together hardly at all in the preseason due to injuries to Myers and Pitts, Kevin Walter was out and the WR timing looked poor, they couldn't run the ball at all and when they did Steve Slaton fumbled it. They couldn't get in any rhythm at all. Schaub may not end up being the answer in Houston, but yesterday, that entire offense looked like garbage. -Steph]

Stephanie do you understand now what I was saying about wanting to see some roughness penalties. Maybe I didn’t put it in a way you appreciated but what I was and am still concerned about is “toughness, attitude, and a bit of a mean streak” We lack all three of these qualities; and yes when you have those three qualities some penalties do result but so do wins. I met Kubiak he is one of the nicest men I know and I truly like him, but the team reflects his personality. I don’t know what the answer is but I can tell you that this team lacks the three charactoristics that I mentioned and no team lacking those has ever been successful in the NFL. you can lack one but if you lack all three…. mail it in it is over before it begins.

[Nope. They need to force punts. They were putrid on third down. Getting stupid penalties would just make it worse. The Jets defense was good without getting stupid roughness penalties. I would settle for being in the right spots and being able to make basic tackles. Oh, and as far as "nice" Kubiak goes, you must not see many practices. -Steph]

The old cliche of football games being won in the trenches showed up here. The Jets dominated the Texans interior offensive line, and overloaded the edges. Schaub, Slaton and company never had a chance to get going. I would suggest the offensive coaches look at tape of the Thursday night game to see how to use max protection to counter an aggressive defense. I would also suggest reviewing the Packers offense last night to see how to line up extra guys in the backfield to counter pressure up the middle.

I didn’t think the defense was that bad. This may be because I was expecting them to be awful. The constant “just enough” on third down was frustrating, but I thought they played well enough to win the game if the offense had showed up. As usual, Coward calls out Mario Williams for not winning the game all by himself. Apparently leading the team in solo tackles, having one of the 3 tackles for loss, defending a pass, having 2 of the 3 hits on the QB, and providing the pressure on the interception isn’t good enough. We have discussed unreasonable expectations before, and I know I won’t change his mind, but Williams actually did have a pretty good game. Wonder if he can block?

As for Kubiak blaming himself, that’s what coaches do. Did anyone really expect him to say Myers got dominated and needs to grow a pair? He’s smart enough to leave that in the locker room. Saying hurtful things about players to the media won’t help the team. The guys who need to improve know who they are. Hopefully they will be able to do something about it.

[You sir, win the comments. You win nothing, of course, other than my appreciation. -Steph]

I think Dunta’s comments made me more pissed than the game. Ok toss up! But in my opinion the loudest cheer in the game was for the soldier Well deserved he should have been the mvp

[Yup, the Army Strong soldiers always get loud cheers--It has become a part of the game I look forward to. For those not at the games, in the second half, the team honors a soldier who performed heroically in his service for his country. The soldier is in attendance. -Steph]

“Bob McNair” Hello Bill (Cowher)? Hey what say you Bill. It’s me Bob, Bob McNair, you know, Texans owner? No,no don’t hang up. Got a proposal for you. Have anything planned for the next five years? I’m looking for a few good men and you look like the right guy. Interested? 20 Million? 50 Million? Name your price. Total control Bill. Heck bring a General Manager of your choice! What say you Bill. Please?

Biggest problem is his attitude. Dunta should be made by his coaches to sit out a game because he played horribly and if he comes in wearing shoes that are detrimental to the teams locker room he should be fined for being detrimental to the team like they can do. Then he should be made to take those shoes off by the coach who shouldnt allow that on his team during a football game. Then he needs to go behind closed doors and tell Dunta man to man that he needs to get rid of all that talk during football season and go out and play football with no more talks about any of that stuff. Dunta is headed down a path of alot less money than he thought when this season started. Fans perceptions of how good you are and teams with accessing the players attitude counts alot. He will be very sad when the fans perception and media turns him into a malcontent who isnt playing well in their minds. That will lead to him being a veterans minimum player if fans keep saying he was horrible all year that would drive his salary down in the off season. He needs to be careful and win before he makes anymore statements.

[If the Texans cut players for playing horribly, there wouldn't be that many guys on the field left. They do need to deal with it though. -S]

People erroneously assume that had Vince Young, Reggie Bush, Jay Cutler, or Matt Leinart come to Houston, everything would be the same as it is now. There are too many variables to assume such a thing. Every locker room is different. Every situation is different.

What I’m saying is this team needs a playmaker. It doesn’t have one. The only one close is Andre’ Johnson, and they don’t use him. What we have is an overrated defensive end that is a member of one of the worst defenses in the league. Do I expect him to win games all by himself? No. That is an entirely unreasonable expectation to have for a DE.

But I’ve seen quarterbacks take over a team. Just like last week when Roethlisberger told that kid, “Get my hat.” It was inspirational to the team and they walked out and won the game.

I’ve seen running backs take over a team. (too many to count)

I’ve seen tight ends take over a team. (Remember Kellen Winslow in that great SD vs. KC game back in the ’70′s?)

Vince Young would have come here and been heralded as a god. If Kubiak had taken him and molded the offense around his talents, no telling where the Texans would be right now. The Titans made the same mistake everyone does. They take a kid who had a certain winning way and tried to change him to fit their way. Why they did that to him and not to McNair is beyond me. They allowed McNair to play his game.

Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler could have come here and learned for a couple of years and then got out there and pumped the pig. Who knows what they might be now had they come here.

Reggie Bush is another question mark. He went to New Orleans and something happened. How can anyone be so sure the same thing would have happened here?

The fact is, nobody knows for sure.

What we know for sure is that Mario Williams is a competent DE that sometimes plays above average. Other times you never see him. He’s being worshipped today because he had more unassisted tackles, one of the two tackles for a loss, a pass defended, and a couple of hits on the rook. Okay, decent day. But a lot was given up for his decent days. He was chosen number one overall and he hasn’t played like it. He’s going into his fourth year and he should be killing people out there with the physique and athletic skills he has. There shouldn’t be a tackle in the entire NFL who can contain him for four quarters.

But, they did. Regardless of what you say, he was contained and ended up a non-factor in helping the Texans win that game. Why? Because he’s a defensive end, that’s why. The Texans needed a playmaker when they had that number one pick, and they chose Mario Williams.

So, I ask again. How’s the scenery now? After yesterday’s debacle, how is it now?

Stop defending the management of this franchise, people. We, as fans, are staring into a possible abyss of another season with more L’s than W’s. Is it Mario’s fault? No. But that pick was a barometer for me about the management of this team. Or, the mismanagement, if you will. It isn’t that I have unrealistic expectations about Mario. He’s the symbol of what’s wrong with this franchise. Not from a personal perspective, but from a management perspective. I find it amazing that none of you see where that one decision has led this team. Even after yesterday.

“If you love stats, Matt Schaub can be your guy. But when it comes to winning the games you’re suppose to win, Schaub is not among the league’s elite quarterbacks. And anybody who tells you he is, is misinformed”.

• Easy pick for my frauds of the week. It’s the Texans. A perennial chic pick to finally make the playoffs, Houston laid a total egg at home against the Jets, scoring no points on offense, and producing just 11 first downs and 183 total yards. And what is it about Gary Kubiak’s club in September? They’re 2-9 in the season’s first month in his four seasons, with six consecutive losses.

I’ve been skeptical all along that Houston is headed for a breakthrough year. I’m more dubious than ever after watching the Texans’ efforts in Week 1. They richly deserved those late-game boos that rang out throughout Reliant Stadium.

• Did I hear that right, Texans cornerback Dunta Robinson wore the words “Pay me, Rick” on his cleats in a protest against Houston general manager Rick Smith not giving him a long-term contract extension?

Maybe Smith should wear “Don’t get beat, Dunta” on his footwear, because I believe it was Robinson who got roasted by Jets receiver Chansi Stuckey on his 30-yard second-quarter touchdown catch.

First, I’m not at all convinced that Rex Grossman is the answer to our QB woes, but with Schaub being more immobile than usual, it would seem like a good idea to give him a shot just to give Schaub’s ankle a chance to heal because I don’t think after the beating he took yesterday that he will be 100% by next Sunday to face the Titans. I’m tired of hearing “he’s in the top 5 when he’s healthy”. Well, guess what. He can’t stay healthy and isn’ he in the last year of his contract?

Secondly, I am extremely frustrated and SAD for players like Andre Johnson who is the top receiver in the league and stuck on this mediocre team. There are a few other pro-bowl caliber players on the team that are in the same position. That’s truly sad to see their talent wasted.

Third, Dunta. SHUT UP and EARN your money that you are being paid this year. Why are reporters even giving him the time of day in front of their cameras?

Thanks Steph for telling it like it is even when it’s not very pleasant to hear.

The NFL is a copy cat league. Your next opponents look what was successful against you and will try and duplicate it. Can you imagine what they are saying about our offensive line and Chris Meyers in particular? Hell he didn’t even slow them down. How in the hell can coach Gibbs even accept a check this week based on that performance? How many of us would have a job after a performance like that?

Duanta Robinson should be benched. That crap about the shoes is the last straw for me. His play was poor and by drawing attention to his pay was a stupid idea. I think all he has done is show the rest of the country he is way over paid.

You’re right about this, it doesn’t look like a Cowher roster. It doesn’t look like a winning roster either.

If there’s no amount of money that would convince a coach, such as Cowher, to come here, then that, in and of itself, is as big an indictment to the franchise and it’s ownership as anything I could muster. i.e. a coach who is committed, unwaveringly, to winning…thinks he cannot win here….

for the record, I do not believe in firing coaches, I believe in hiring them. If we decide that we are done with Kubiak, it would be stupid to fire him, until we are desirous of some other candidate in particular and have reason to believe that we can consummate a deal.

Cohwer and Shanahan are just names. Proven commodities. What does it say that we are unable to attract a proven commodity? Why are we only able to get has-beens to go with never-has-beens?

Why aren’t the best and brightest lining up and beating down the door to Bob’s office? Heck, we even saw guys lobby for the Raider job in public during that Kiffin mess.

The organization is passive, therefore the team is passive. Football is a game of aggression, wait and see = lose.

[Shanahan's situation is different because of his relationship with Kubiak, but in general, it will be hard attracting name coaches to come to a situation whether there is very little tradition, and no winning tradition. The Texans aren't relevant to the league. Houston does have many attractive things about their situation: 1. an owner w/ a rep of letting football people handle things and spending money on what they want to spend money on; 2. nice stadium; 3. no state income tax (allegedly, though they certainly like taxing in all sorts of ways without calling it an income tax); 4. players of all sports like living in Houston, so you don't have problems associated with players not liking the city (though some may not like training camp in the heat). It's what I call the "Phil Jackson rule"--most established, successful coaches want to come to easy to fix situations in marquee markets. -S]

The Homer Coach, I hear you and I totally agree, it’s not that some of the players are not good it’s the fact that the team and local media parade them as being great, the QB, RB and DE ( Williams ) are just average, and throw in a average to below average coach and these are the results you get. If and when the owner gets serious and gets a little more passonate about winning then this is what you get. I feel so sorry for guys like Andre Johnson and D. Ryans who leave it on the field but will never play on a championship team unless they jettison to one of the constant contenders in the league, I wouldn’t blame Andre if that’s what he does once his contract ends, I would strongly advise him to.

I stated the offense will take a slight step back and the defense would play a little better, they have not added anything to the offense and if you know that 3-4 schemes creates problems for you, why are there not any adjustments to counter. Wakeup Mr. McNair and get agressive and please a hire a coach that is excitable or has some kind of intensity

I really hope there is at least a fine of some sorts for #23. I’ve watched that video 3 times and I just wonder what happened to the guy that could barely control his emotions talking to the media after losses just 2 or 3 years ago, because he hated to lose so badly. Last year we had Ike to at least absorb some of the criticism that should have come Kubiak’s way, and granted, they played better at the end of the year, not so coincidentally when the schedule softened up. But the real Texans are the ones from the Steelers and Ravens game last year, and the team we saw yesterday. Other than the 2nd Titan game last year, every time Kubiak has faced a tough, physical football team, the outcome is exactly the same: a brutal, demoralizing tail stomping. Somebody needs to tell Kubiak the next step is supposed to be forwards, not sideways.

Perhaps my boots a couple weeks from now should read “Shut up and tackle.”

On a more sour note, I’m not sure I can take too many more games like this and still call myself a fan. I mean we’re pathetic for rooting for them. It’s ok to root for a loser but a yellow belly? I always try to look on the bright side of things but the only bright spot is:

15 more games until Kubiak is fired. Hell, maybe 3 more. (Here’s hoping).

Steph – I think I have said this before, but if I have not…You are the bomb! You predicted the game to a tee…Unfortunately, though, you were right. I soooo mad now…I spent $250 for what…good BBQ and a few drinks…Hell, I can do that anywhere for a hell of a lot less money. DR has me infuriated…I cannot believe a 10 Million dollar a year guy, who is suppose to be a leader, would write “pay me” on his shoes and then play that poorly. I believe everything went wrong, but I cannot place the entire thing on the Coaches…Most of this goes on the players…I mean at the very least they should show up…or Am I being a little to perspicuous concerning these millionaires who have no heart? To quote the dude from The Waterboy, “WE SUCK AGAIN!”

[Thanks for the kind words. I know the phrase "in this economy" is said so much it has become cliche, but in this economy it's pretty vomitous to see that video of DR talking about needing to get paid. Nobody that knows or remembers what it is like to struggle to pay bills would do such a thing. It is vulgar. And yeah, it is hard to think of spending more bucks on bad football. Bleh. -Steph]

I understand that Kubiak is able to yell at players so even someone like Sage Rosenfels has to tell him to back off. But is that what really talking about when fans complain that he possesses no emotion or is too nice?

Can Kubiak actually be considered inspiring? Do even his staunchest defenders sit around and think if Churchill wasn’t there, Kubiak would have been fantastic giving the “all I have to offer is blood, toil, tears and sweat” speech during the Battle of Britain? I really don’t think so.

Yes, good to great football can be played with a so called cerebral businessman approach. But the coaches that are most successful with this approach tend to be real innovators, the Walsh’s, Landry’s, and Belichick’s. Kubiak is not an innovator. He is simply implementing what he knows, the Denver system.

All these calls for Cowher, which I agree will never happen, are calls for emotion. The fans want someone that is going to get the team to hit someone, not get hit. They want motivation, courage, toughness, overcoming adversity, aggressiveness, and poise.

The Saints bludgeoned this team on the ground and the Texans respond by allowing Adrian Peterson to go 75 yards for a TD on the first play and watch Farve take out their free safety with a cheap shot. Then the Jets dismantle this team with a rookie QB and two of their best defensive players missing. Where is the fire?

The whole organization has the personality of McNair, in which Kubiak is very similar in demeanor. Even their two best players, Johnson and Mario, have quite personalities. Football is an emotional game. The Texans need people on their team and in their organization with EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE that exude the qualities mentioned above… and no, simply yelling at practice doesn’t cut it.

[I've seen Kubiak be inspiring. I've seen him angry. I've seen his players go out of their way to give him their support. We can talk fire and aggressiveness and motivation all we want. I don't put that high on the list of What Is Wrong With the 2009 Texans. Maybe there's just key parts of this team that aren't very good. Maybe there is very little depth at certain positions. Maybe in some important fundamental ways, there was some poor X&O coaching and adjustments. You could bring Vince Lombardi back to life to rah rah them, but the team is by design intended to be a relatively light, athletic team that needs to execute well to win, and you aren't going to win against physical matchups unless you out-execute and out-smart. Didn't happen.-Steph]

lET’S GET A GRIP, there are some good things to be thankful for. It looks like Demeco has returned to full power. Second Brian Cushing looks like the real deal. Barwin looks good and so does Busing. Cody and Amobi both played fairly well(Cody was arguably the better of the two). So how come we lost? Oh that’s right nobody else played with any intensity at all, no determination, no desire, their defensive line made ours look like children playing against men, big mean nasty, throw you around kick you while your down men, we haven’t had a center since Steve McKinney left but hey at least we have next week, next year, next decade. The ever prevailing Texan Motto….at least we have next week, next year, next decade. I’ve had it with next year. We need a Buddy Ryan clone I need something I can hang my hat on that says we are on the right path. right now we are a finess team telling everyone we are a smash mouth club. Kubiak is a great judge of talent but a weak head coach.and the team he has built reflects it. The rant is over I am done.

Coach Coward, I understand your point about the Texans management, but the 2006 draft is the wrong place to try and make it. Point to the highly drafted defensive tackles, the largely ignored secondary, or the continued struggles of the offensive line, but Mario Williams is something they did right. Who else in that draft is the kind of game changing turnaround guy you are talking about? Look at the actual results of the people you mentioned – three backups and the guy who made Bears fans miss Grossman yesterday. The arguement that they might have done better if the Texans drafted them is weak – if your aunt had a Y chromosome and was South African, she might be a track star. No offense intended to your aunt, who I’m sure is a charming lady.

Keep in mind that one of the guys responsible for trying to contain Mario Sunday was picked #4 in the same draft. Shouldn’t a #4 pick occasionally be able to contain a #1 pick? Do 3 spots make that much difference? What about NFL tackles like Jake Long or Orlando Pace who were selected #1 overall? Shouldn’t they be able to contain a top DE, or at least limit him? That’s what the Jets did yesterday – limit Williams to a making a few plays. He still made more plays than anyone else on the team, and you say he’s the example of what’s wrong?

In today’s NFL, you need more than one guy. You mentioned Rothlisberger – what’s so special about him? The story of the Steelers is defense, with four chapters on Cleveland and Cincinnatti. Then there are the two Super Bowl MVPs he’s throwing to. Must be nice to be surrounded by talent like that. Williams has one linebacker with proven talent, a line full of busts, a secondary full of late picks, and a new scheme. He’s not an example of what’s wrong. He’s the example of what’s right. But there are way too many examples of wrong running around out there with him. But instead of calling them out, you name the guy doing the most.

[Thank you for writing posts that don't make me ponder whether you are writing satire. Sometimes after losses you wonder. -Steph]

Then who do you think would be realistic options for us if Kubiak does not work out this season?

[Too early to say who good candidates would be. Some of the best candidates are available late in season. If Kubiak is out, so is Smith--don't think necessarily vice versa--the GM pick in some ways is harder. I don't think now is the time to talk about it, but certainly something to keep in the back of your mind as the season progresses for this team and others. -S]

You speak with authority on winning football organizations. What is your experience with that?

fire, aggressiveness and motivation are not big parts of the problem?

You should try talking to players on the winning teams once in a while. See Jenkins remarks for an example. He says his coach motivated the bejeezus out of the team. And they looked it.

The Jets players called the Texans ‘finesse’. That was politically correct for ‘sissies’ or ‘nanny-boys’ or worse.

Ask King for his sources on his post this morning, where he has Texans laughing about Gary’s pre-game speech, in regards to it’s effectiveness as a motivating tool.

Have you ever closely watched a team go from a ‘soft’ label to a champion? Questioned what it took and what was the difference?

If you have some pristine model for football success that you are following or use as a basis, please clue us in as I can’t seem to find a successful model that your thoughts are attempting to emulate.

Otherwise, I will say that I’ve never seen a championship level football team’s D that didn’t look like it actually wanted to eat the opposition.

everybody is big and strong and fast at that level. It almost always comes down to who wants it more. The Texans are sated and it starts with the owner.

The Patriots would’ve fined, maybe suspended Dunta for that crap with the shoes. Bellicek would’ve sent him back to the locker room on the spot. Also, they would’ve cut him instead of franchise him. see Asante S. from a couple years back. That’s an aggressive organization. They know what they want and how they want it and they accept nothing else, don’t care who you are or what you think about it. It works, they know it works, it’s been proven to work.

The Texans model doesn’t work, we know it doesn’t work, they won’t admit it doesn’t work, it’s been proven not to work. so going back to the Texan’s model and claiming that it will eventually work is more than blind faith….it’s delusional.

[Certainly motivation is part of a coach's job. But your original argument was that the Texans failed because they didn't get roughness penalties. I disagree. I do see physicality issues but that is by design-you can't rah rah those guys into bigger better people. Patriots did franchise Samuel-they just agreed not to franchise him the next year BTW. -S]

Your response has provoked some more thought on my part and I would like to continue this further.

I don’t think that Vince Lombardi could come in a rah rah the 2009 Texans to new heights. However, in the 4th season Vince Lombardi would never in his wildest dreams assembled a team with this personality. This is a problem with the Texans, not the 2009 Texans.

I agree that Kubiak has assembled a “relatively light, athletic team that needs to execute well to win, and you aren’t going to win against physical matchups unless you out-execute and out-smart.” The Texans value players with character, which can be construed as perfect Sunday school attendance in the off season, but actually means coachablility, discipline, ability to work in groups, intelligence, etc. These are attributes that should be valued but football is a physical game. The Texans as a whole lack desire, competitiveness, and toughness. These attributes have been undervalued by the Texans since the beginning of the franchise and it shows in player acquisition.

More quality depth or better corner and safety play isn’t going to solve the Texans issues.

He is not a complete coach and the team will not succeed until he and his team possess all the qualities above. They all matter.

I have been a Texans season ticket holder for 5 yrs. Mr. McNair this will be my last year purchsing season tickets. Because you did not fire Gary on Monday. After that performance I can’t even imaging why Gary still has his Job. We let a First year Coach and a First year quartback who for I thing only play 15 college games kick our azz.

Comments for the team now. I am a man and there certain things men don’t let another men do to them and if you are real man you will know exactly what I mean. I was Mario have a good game and I also was our leader middle linebacker get knock on his ass several times. We need to hire either Jon Gruden or give Bill Cowhen as much money as he wants. To fix this messssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[First of all, I am not Bob McNair though I certainly would like his coin. If you wish to send the Texans a message, I suggest leaving an email on their fanfeedback page. They read every one. Please be kind because the person who receives them is a really nice person and it isn't her fault: http://www.houstontexans.com/about/ContactUs.asp Secondly, even if you are inclined to fire Kubiak, do you believe they could get better immediately and who would you get in the interim? The NFL is a team, scheme sport. -Steph]

As of today, the Texans are every bit as bad as the Detroit Lions. They are closer to being the worst team in the league than the best. The coaching staff gives little indication that they know how to progress beyond getting the team ready to play a few meaningless games at the end of the season. What is really sad is that the fan base of Houston gets set up for this degree of failure year after year, and every recent off-season we hear about all the “great” moves the team has made to improve the coaching and talent level. The egotistical arrogance of the Texans head coach and GM are imprinted on the team like a bright yellow flag. In 2 years, the Lions will be competitive and fighting for their division, while the Texans will be fielding a new coach and GM, new starting quarterback and a new plan to get the team to progress beyond mediocre.

I could see Rick Smith leaving and Gary Kubiak staying under certain parameters. As far as X and Os go Kubiak is as smart as there is concerning the the WCO. It appears he has a more laid back attitude toward the defense and to much of a buddy plan in selecting his coaches. A stronger, more knowledgable forward thinking GM could be a BIG positive for this organization.

Individual coaches it seems have complete say in who they want to draft. It appears new coaches are promised x amount of players or draft rounds to select players. It seems as if Kubiak and Smith go to the East West Shrine Bowl each year and find a couple of players they will take from the 3rd round and later. All of the above seems to take precedent regardless how the draft board stacks up and Mr. McNair is wasting a lot of money on a scouting department. Not all coaches know how to shop for groceries, they may know X and Os but know near as much about their HEBs.

Its not whether you win or lose, its how you play the game…..wait a minute, they didn’t play so good either, hmmmm.

I promised myself I would not get in a lather like I did in ’06. Maybe this is the SLAP in the face they need. Maybe not. Maybe this is the Slap in the face I need to ride my motorcycle more in the fall. Nah, I would just end up end up in a bar 200 miles from the house watching these guys.

Geez, just think of the people who got fired last year because the Texans weren’t tough enough. Think they would want their jobs back???

[What I think is funny is how many commenters are one-issue commenters. That no matter what the subject, they always chime in about that one issue. Then there are the commenters that only show up when something bad happens. There's a few commenters who evolve from just talking about one issue to talking about many. For everyone who thinks the Texans fired too many people or the wrong people, there's others who think they should have fired more. I find it interesting. -S]

Trying to find a bright side in the game is very difficult, but I did actually think that their run defense did a decent job for most of the game. Just about everything else that happened yesterday was a disaster, but their run defense was a minor highlight in a tremendously awful day.

Overall, despite the horror of the game day performance, I had a great weekend in H Town. Me and my buddy from CT went down Saturday night and saw Guitar Shorty at the Big Easy. It was a great show and we met some very nice girls who had been tailgaters for years. On Sunday we wandered around the stadium before going into the game. Sadly, we couldn’t find the Saint Arnold tailgate party (even more sadly, we couldn’t find the girls we met the night before), but we got to see a lot of the tailgating action. The grounds are tremendous, the tailgating is awesome, and the stadium is top notch. It was a tremendous weekend that I hope to do again very soon. Even with the results of the game and the hour it took to get out of Houston the next morning on my way back to Austin, the trip was well worth it.

the roughness penalty thing wasn’t me. at least not in this thread. there are times when that sort of thing is called for, but I didn’t throw this game out as one.

I jumped in the middle and disagreed with your point that fire, motivation, etc. wasn’t a big part of the problem. and now I’m doing it again in regards to ‘out execute, out smart’

The Texans schemes seem to have a very low ceiling and a high floor. Meaning, they tend to work very well against bad to middling teams. In other words the Texans, as designed, are lamb killers. The good physical teams will almost always beat the Texans. You can outsmart and out-execute some teams some of the time, but you can’t always do it. In the 4th qtr a physical team is always going to have the advantage, so you must put a huge early lead on to reliably compete and win in those games and the Texans can’t do it. They are no better at it than they were 3 years ago. The games against the physical teams haven’t changed. (Jacksonville not withstanding- that’s a weird flukey division rival thing)

The big physical teams know exactly how to beat the Texans, it’s been the same gameplan for 3 years now and it works flawlessly. So I can’t put it on the assistants, they’ve been mostly changed out over that period. So absent noticeable change, I postulate that the Texans are satisfied to be lamb killers who will get killed themselves now and then when the big boys roll into town.

If they aren’t satisfied with their status, then what are they doing DIFFERENTLY than those things that have proven not to work? We have the same failures as we had back then.

[I am not defending finesse football teams--I'm just saying how they win when they are a playoff team. All I was saying is that they are what they are--I've been identifying the issues with this team all offseason. Being more motivational isn't going to stop Jenkins from destroying Myers. -S]